Isle of Portland

Isle of Portland

England

Scale the dramatic cliffs of Portland Bill and explore the wild, windswept landscape where England's most southerly point meets the sea.

💱 Currency British Pound Sterling (GBP)
🗣 Language English
🕐 Time Zone GMT (UTC+0)
☀️ Best Time to Visit Apr–Aug
🚢 Typical Duration 14-18 nights
💰 Price Range From $1,098 pp
Port Type Port of Call
🚤 Tender Port No

Gateway to the Jurassic Coast and a strategic departure point for Northern European cruises exploring the UK, Ireland, and continental ports.

Cruises that visit Isle of Portland

Build Your Day in Isle of Portland

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Getting around:
Portland Bill Lighthouse Great way to spend an hour with a relaxing walk taking in the views. Visitor center · ★ 4.6 · 7k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
SEA LIFE Weymouth Entertaining and interactive for all ages... including adults! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 7k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Nothe Fort Views, history, interactive exhibits, dressing up and a mouse hunt! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 4k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Portland Castle Great place fun interactive boards and games. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Olympic Rings Stone Sculpture Fantastic venue lots to do looking over cheslebeach. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 2k
The Cove House Inn It is such a nice restaurant located in the high street of Isle of Portland. Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
The Lobster Pot Excellent food and staff, well worth the visit on Portland Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Thu
Billy Winters Good lunch overlooking Portland Harbour. Grill · ★ 4.4 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Crab House Café Great fish restaurant near the causeway to Portland. Seafood · ★ 4.7 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
Heights Hotel All organized well and is a historic part of the isle of Portland. Hotel · ★ 4.1 · 1k
Quiddles Cafe Food: Oysters excellent, king prawns excellent, seafood chowder average. Cafe · ★ 4.6 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Premier Portland Marina & Boatyard Very good prices and friendly service. Marina · ★ 4.5 · 1k 🕐 Open 24 hours
Isle of Portland Highly recommend the activities centre and Dillon as a host. Island · ★ 4.6 · 1k
Castletown D-Day Centre A fantastic interactive museum with very informative staff. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Lidl Good choice of own brands and branded goods at very reasonable prices. Supermarket · ★ 4.4 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Tout Quarry Sculpture Park & Nature Reserve Free attraction with plenty of sculptures to look at. Stone carving · ★ 4.6 · 1k
The Eight Kings Excellent pub good food and Excellent music. Pub · ★ 4.4 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
Church Ope Cove Good to spend an afternoon. Beach pavillion · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Sugar Loaf Cafe Well worth a visit if you’re on your way to Portland bill. Cafe · ★ 4.6 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Thu
Pulpit Rock Crazy but looked like lots of fun. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k
The Beehive Reasonably priced with a good selection. Coffee shop · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
The Island Sauna, Portland Such a bargain price and ace people. Sauna · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 7:30 AM Thu
Catch at The Old Fish Market Our favourite of the night was the lobster with sundried tomatoes. Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12:30 PM Thu
Salt at Portland Marina Dined at Salt for a few times during our 6 days’ stay in Portland Marina. Restaurant · ★ 4 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
The Little Ship Brilliant atmosphere, friendly staff, reasonably priced, beautiful pub Pub · ★ 4.3 · 0k 🕐 Closes soon · 12 AM
Tesco Superstore Good selection and reasonable opening hours Supermarket · ★ 4.2 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 7 AM Thu
Portland Museum Great value, packed with interest for all ages! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10:30 AM Sat
Portland Bird Observatory Portland is a GEM. Bird watching area · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Punch Bowl Inn Good pint, friendly and homely atmosphere Pub · ★ 4.6 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 3 PM Thu
Portland Bill Lighthouse Visitors Centre My 7 year old Grandson loved it. Museum · ★ 4.7 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Rufus Castle While area is popular with walkers and climbers. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Portland Port Cruise Ship Dock Had a great haircut downtown and souvenir shopping along the river walk. Cruise terminal · ★ 4.4 · 0k
The Green Shutters Live sports on a big screen with discreet volume, and friendly folk. Pub · ★ 4.4 · 0k 🕐 Closes soon · 12 AM
Corner House Inn Nice local pub good beer and good prices. Pub · ★ 4.6 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
Britannia Inn Great pint great price steeped in history Pub · ★ 4.5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 2 PM Thu
New Star Inn Amazing pub, amazing staff, and a brilliant atmosphere. Pub · ★ 4.4 · 0k
The Royal Exchange Friendly atmosphere and a good pint Pub · ★ 4.2 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
The Official Test Centre - Watersports Centre A perfect location too. Water sports equipment rental service · ★ 4.9 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Sticks & Bones Fun selection of cocktails reasonably priced! Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 5 PM Thu
Rice And Sail Rice & Sail in Weymouth is an absolute gem. Vietnamese · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
Dorset Shellfish Local providing great fresh produce. Seafood market · ★ 4.7 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Grove Prison Museum Portland Dorset Great little museum, run by volunteers. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
The Wool Shop There is always a good selection of Wool, Materials, and Accessories. Haberdashery · ★ 4.9 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Portland Market Clothes good quality and reasonable Market · ★ 4 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Sun
Ocean Breeze Beach Bar Fantastic beach bar, great beers on draft and super friendly service. Bar · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu
Island Gallery Family values, art and design, knowledge and unknown. Picture frame shop · ★ 4.9 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Memory Stones - Green Corridor leading to Tout Quarry Sculpture Park & Nature Reserve With the memory stones, newer addition to the sculpture park. Park · ★ 4.9 · 0k
The Stone Bench Love all these memory benches all over the island 🏝. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Next Departures from Isle of Portland

About Isle of Portland

Isle of Portland redefines the maritime port experience with geography that feels wild and intimate. The 6-kilometre-long, 2.7-kilometre-wide island sits in the English Channel, joined to the mainland by the Chesil Beach barrier and watched over by the dramatic Portland Bill lighthouse. The harbour here is a working, protected haven that stands apart from typical cruise ports: it offers easy access to the Jurassic Coast, historic Portland Bill, and nearby Weymouth while maintaining a peaceful, less crowded ambience. Signature experiences include guided coastal walks along the World Heritage coast, lighthouse tours, and private sailing charters within Portland Harbour; opportunities to observe regattas and training at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy; and exploring fossil-rich cliffs along the Jurassic Coast. The fleet features at Portland include deep-water berths and sheltered moorings, efficient turnaround facilities, and proximity to a premier sailing academy, enabling ships to offer guests immersive waterborne adventures and onshore activities. Onboard services for calls to Isle of Portland emphasize guest comfort and convenience: streamlined arrival and transfer arrangements, accessible information desks, curated Dorset excursions highlighting local cuisine and scenery, and onboard programs that showcase maritime history, coastal geology, and the region’s seafood hospitality.

Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Portland Castle's Dramatic Clifftop Views

Explore this 16th-century fortress perched dramatically on Portland's rugged coastline, offering panoramic views of the English Channel and surrounding limestone cliffs. The castle's well-preserved rooms reveal centuries of military history, while the windswept grounds provide spectacular photo opportunities and insight into England's coastal defense heritage.

2

Fresh Seafood at Waterfront Restaurants

Savor locally-caught fish and shellfish at charming waterfront establishments where Portland's fishing heritage comes alive on your plate. From traditional fish and chips to contemporary seafood platters, these venues showcase the island's bounty while offering views of working fishing boats and the bustling harbor.

3

Chesil Beach's Pebble Paradise

Walk along this extraordinary 18-mile shingle beach, famous for its perfectly graded pebbles that create a unique natural phenomenon. The beach offers stunning coastal scenery, opportunities for beachcombing, and a chance to experience one of England's most distinctive geological features up close.

4

Portland Stone Heritage & Quarries

Discover the limestone that built London's landmarks at Portland's historic quarries and stone heritage sites. Learn how this island's golden stone has shaped British architecture for centuries, with visitor centers and walking trails revealing the geological and industrial significance of this remarkable resource.

5

Weymouth's Victorian Seaside Charm

Just across the causeway, explore this classic English seaside town with its elegant Georgian architecture, traditional amusement arcades, and lively seafront promenade. Browse independent shops, enjoy traditional seaside entertainment, and experience authentic British coastal culture that has delighted visitors for generations.

Cruise Lines at Isle of Portland

Cruises Departing From Isle of Portland

Cruises Visiting Isle of Portland

Ship Schedule at Isle of Portland

Isle of Portland Location

Other Cruise Ports in England

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Isle of Portland?

A tied island in Dorset, England, connected by Chesil Beach to the mainland.

What can visitors do on Portland?

Coastal walks, lighthouse visits, watersports, and exploring the Jurassic coast.

What is Chesil Beach known for?

A barrier beach linking the isle to the mainland.

How far is Weymouth from Portland?

A short drive or cycle ride across the bridge and Chesil Beach.